Teachers insist strike is still on despite “threats” from government

Teachers under their umbrella body, the Uganda National Teachers Union have said their sit down strike will continue despite threats from various government officials.

On February 20, UNATU gave government a 90-day notice that they would lay down their tools after failure by government to commit itself increasing their salaries.

Addressing journalists on Friday, UNATU General Secretary, Filbert Bates Baguma said after expressing their intension to lay down tools, they have not got any feedback from government apart from threats.

“The only feedback given to teachers has been in form of threats and intimidation from different sections of government. All teachers and members are hereby informed that the industrial action which took effect on May 20 is still on course,”Baguma said.

“As schools reopen for term two, teachers will not be present to receive the learners.”

The UNATU General Secretary however asked teachers and other members to remain calm and firm on their objectives because their industrial action is backed by law.

According to UNATU, following earlier sit down strikes, they were persuaded and accepted to back off after government promised to work on their issues after dealing with priorities.

Baguma however noted that this time they will not back off the strike after unfulfilled promises.

“We have been taken for granted for too long. Enough is enough. RDCs, DISOs and other government agents are advised to desist from threatening teachers simply because of their continued appeal for a pay rise. Such intimidating statements are unlawful and uncalled for,” the UNATU Secretary General said.

This year’s second term begins on Monday, May 27, 2019.

According to Baguma, they had negotiated a pay raise that would see teachers move to level with their colleagues at the same level who benefitted from the first salary increment.

According to the proposed arrangement, primary teachers under salary scale U7 would get Shs600, 000 from the current Shs467,000 per month whereas senior education assistants will have an increment to Shs670,000 from Sgs550,000.

Teachers under scale U5 will have their salaries increased from Shs670,000 to Shs1.1 million and those under scale U4 will earn Shs.1.7 million and their counterparts teaching sciences will earn shs2.2 million.